Harmonious Relationships 2x one another (v26) Let us not become - - PDF document

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Bearing One Another’s Burdens

Galatians 5:26-6:5

Walking in the Spirit?

• Galatians 5:16-26 – ‘the Spirit’ used

7x

• Does it refer to ecstatic experience,

biblical knowledge, positions in the church?

• Paul provides some guidance on this

question

Relationships

Harmonious

Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:26

In-House language

• 2x ‘one another’ (v26)
• Speaking here of relationships within

the community of faith

Three Descriptors

• i. ‘Not become conceited’ (NRSV/NIV)
• T
• have an illusion about oneself
• A false opinion/empty vain

thought

• Can be employed expressing

superiority or inferiority

Three Descriptors

• ii. ‘Competing’ (NRSV) / ‘provoking (NIV)
• A challenging spirit
• “I’m better and I will prove it”
• Causing strife, dissension

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Three Descriptors

• iii. ‘Envying’ A challenging spirit
• Desiring what others have; even

desiring their spiritual gifts

• Such attitudes speak of spiritual

immaturity – creating division/strife within the community of faith

• Rather there is to be a spirit of unity

& peace as suggested by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-33)

• “Let us serve one another in love.”

(Brother Lawrence)

Relationships

Helping

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. T ake care that you yourselves are not tempted.

Galatians 6:1

The Situation

• Someone is tripped up by a

transgression

• Surprised by sin/side-swiped
• Made a careless mistake
• As a result is spiritually stuck

Restore Gently

• Same word as ‘fruit of the Spirit’
• The emphasis is on restoration not

condemnation or judgment

• Used of a doctor mending a broken

bone

Self awareness

• Watch yourself - don’t get tripped up
• The plural ‘you’ (v26a) becomes

‘you’ singular (v26b)

• Seek restoration & wellbeing of the
• ther
• An attitude of self-awareness – see

yourself clearly through the process

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Other’s Burdens

Bearing Each

Galatians 6:2-5

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of

• Christ. For if those who are nothing

think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbour’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.

Galatians 6:2-5

We all Have Burdens

• We can help each other carry the

heavy weight

• Act in love - fulfill the law of Christ

(v2b)

• An excessive burden which is

difficult to bear alone – emotional, physical, financial …

Mutual Bearing

• In awareness and a spirit of self-

evaluation (v3-4) - recognize that you also have burdens

• We help one another – not a solitary

journey – there’s a mutuality in this burden bearing

‘Our’ Burden

• There is a burden that we alone

must carry (v5)

• “Each person must shoulder his
• wn pack” (Phillips)
• A different word from 6:2
• It speaks to our vocation and our

responsibility before God

• You must carry your own load and I

must carry mine

• Here it is not about comparison or

competition but carrying our ‘own pack’

2019-10-08 4 The Holy Spirit is inclusive, all embracing, community-creating. He comes upon us not for ourselves privately but to enable us to be for

• thers, to build up the Body

. He builds the kingdom between us. He breaks down the strangeness, removes the barriers, and bridges the estrangement created by the cumulative sin of humankind.

Edward J. Farrell